We lost our baby elephant to Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV) We appreciate the fact that the International Elephant Foundation has been helping to sponsor an EEHV workshop for several ye... more

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

We lost our baby elephant to Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV) We appreciate the fact that the International Elephant Foundation has been helping to sponsor an EEHV workshop for several years. Our loss has made finding a way to keep other baby elephants from dieing a priority for us. IEF has been an excellent organization to collect and distribute the donations we are helping to collect. IEF has knowledge of and relationships with the researchers, scientists and veterinarians who are working on EEHV. We trust IEF to know the best way to put donatons to work.

The Great!

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

my experience with their fund raising and distribution to get the most impact for the donations.

Ways to make it better...

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

want them to be more well known. IEF does amazing work for elephants but they are not know to the public.

How likely are you to donate to this group again?

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

The International Elephant Foundation is a wonderful nonprofit organization, made up of hardworking , dedicated professionals from around the world. The vast majority of proceeds (if not ALL) goes directly to benefiting elephants. All nonprofits should be run this way.

Over 95% of the monies received by the International Elephant Foundation goes directly to fund elephant conservation projects. About half goes to help African elephant and half to help Asian elephants. The African elephant is facing increased poaching for Ivory and many countries are struggling to maintain their numbers of elephants. Asian elephants are critically endangered and less than 35,000 are living in free-ranging conditions. Most of these elephants live outside protected National Parks, so they are facing pressure due to Human Elephant Conflict over scarce resources. The International Elephant Foundation is composed of elephant experts from many fields related to the care of elephants both in captivity and free-ranging environments. Elephants are at a critical point, help us to help elephants to survive into the future.

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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

Changes as a result of training at an government elephant camp in Sumatra which now performs animal inventories of the national park, and anti poaching patrols on elephant back, as well as educational activities in surrounding villages.

Ways to make it better...

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

Try to find ways to find additional funding to support more worthwhile project proposals.

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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?

Definitely

How much of an impact do you think this organization has?

A lot

Will you tell others about this organization?

Definitely

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

2012

How did you learn about this organization?

I am a charter board member

What is this organization's top short-term priority?

Annual funding of proposals for range country elephant conservation

What is its top priority in the long run?

Stategic planning for long term sustainablilty of research and educational projects.

The IEF is the absolute best organization concerning elephants. Their work to help saved this endangered species is priceless and they are infinitely passionate about it! Not only does the IEF do am... more

IEF is an amazing organization. Within the last year alone they have rallied and attacked EEHV (elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus) which is a fatal disease that kills 1 in 4 baby elephants. There's no cure, and IEF is focusing their efforts to find a cure. This is truly important work that people need to know about.

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Was your donation impactful?

Definitely

How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?

Definitely

How likely are you to donate to this group again?

Definitely

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

The IEF is the absolute best organization concerning elephants. Their work to help saved this endangered species is priceless and they are infinitely passionate about it! Not only does the IEF do amazing work but they are run like charities should be--as little administrative bureaucracy as possible so that all donations reach the elephants themselves. So many animal organizations use animals to raise money but end up never actually helping them, the IEF is the exact opposite. Everyone there lives and breathes elephants and devotes endless time and energy for the cause.

The Great!

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

I've worked with elephants in captivity for almost 10 years and have seen first hand how magical they are but also how serious the threat of extinction is. In my time in the industry I've seen the IEF make real progress and get results on a variety of research for elephants like artificial insemination, elephant-specific diseases, etc. They've also done outreach to help elephant keepers in their native lands learn to care for their elephants in new and better ways.

Ways to make it better...

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

If I could I would give the IEF unlimited funding and raise their visibility so more people would know about them and donate.

I think this organization is great. I know that Mike Fouraker of the Fort Worth Zoo initiated and organized the conceptual meeting of the IEF. The Fort Worth Zoo supports many conservation efforts and I know that Mike Fouraker also organized the International Iguana Foundation. Kudos to those institutions who recognized Mike's vision (Indianapolis Zoo, Columbus Zoo, Peace River Refuge, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Southwestern Missouri State University, African Lion Safari, Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey and Have Trunk Will Travel) and together formed the IEF. Two million dollars has gone to elephant conservation and research - that is fantastic!! I am a proud supporter of IEF.

The Great!

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

My family and I have been able to enjoy the baby elephants at the St. Louis Zoo due to the IEF's support of EEHV research.

Ways to make it better...

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

Not a thing, unless I could think of a way to help them raise more money.

Well, these guys are founded by the Center for Elephant Conservation--a training camp for elephants in Florida. These elephants, supposedly trained, are sold to Ringling Bros. to live the majority of their life inside a train car... honestly. Due to the FACT that many elephant trainers abuse their elephants while on the road with Ringling, I will happily give the IEF 1 star.

If you're skeptical, venture on the internet and find out yourself.

The Great!

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

a traveling circus.

Ways to make it better...

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

cut their ties to Feld Entertainment, Ringling, and the CEC and do their own thing.

The International Elephant Foundation takes an active role in preserving and protecting this majestic species. It's a sad fact that elephants are losing their ability to survive in the wild. The mission of IEF is to assure that humans will be able to continue to see, learn about, and appreciate elephants for years to come.

The Great!

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

I have seen the captive elephant population increase as the wild elephant population decreased.

I would like to encourage publication of the good work that the IEF (International Elephant Foundation) has begun. Extinction of the elephant is unacceptable to me and to my family. I am familiar with the careers and practices of the IEF's founders. The IEF spends 98% of it's funds in ways that directly benefits elephants! They are not (yet) well known. If one believes that the elephant should be saved from extinction...support for the IEF is the place to begin your work in advocating for elephants! We can all help by spreading the word.

The Great!

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

Personal interaction with those who operate the IEF and with several elephants.